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Sydney New Year's Eve
December 31

Be part of the spectacular action as the Sydney’s annual fireworks display announces the arrival of another hope-filled New Year.

Everyone should treat themselves to at least one New Year’s Eve in Sydney – it’s the perfect party city. Midnight comes earlier to Sydney than almost any other major international city, so cameras from around the world are trained on the city as its dramatic firework extravaganza unfolds.

Reasons to attend

1. Grab your chance to take part in one of the most renowned New Year celebrations in the world. With its spectacular harbour, distinctive ‘coathanger style’ bridge and iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney is the perfect stage for an unforgettable end-of-year party and is a magnet for international celebrities.

2. Join the good-humoured crowds lining Sydney Harbour, and make new friends. You’ll have plenty to choose from – more than a million people gather around the foreshore each year in a spirit of cheerfulness and hope. The atmosphere is one you’ll never forget.

Sydney New Year's Eve, Sydney, NSW

3. Plan ahead and choose the viewing point that suits you best. They are located all round Sydney’s massive harbour, and many are free. If you prefer, book a place in an exclusive VIP area or on one of the many yachts and boats offering New Year’s Eve cruises as part of the Harbour of Light Parade® – get in quick to avoid disappointment.

4. Don’t worry about being part of such large crowds. Sydney New Year’s Eve is a well-organised, safe and friendly event.

5. Make a day of it. Long before it’s dark enough for fireworks, Sydney Harbour is the dramatic setting for a host of activities. Previous years’ festivities have included air displays, a sunset demonstration of fire-tug water canons, and a traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking ceremony, which uses eucalyptus smoke to “cleanse” the harbour of negative spirits.

Sydney New Year's Eve, Sydney, NSW

6. As well as being the focal point for the world’s favourite fireworks display, this year the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated with full-length projections at each end, showing photos, film clips and community service messaging and other creative content.

7. Choose which fireworks display you want to see. The 9pm Family Fireworks allow young children to be part of the festivities. Then, at the stroke of midnight, accompanied by a countdown from a million voices, the Sydney skyline erupts with its truly extraordinary firework extravaganza.

8. Tune into the New Year’s Eve soundtrack – a list of curated music, specially produced to choreograph the fireworks.

9. Enjoy the warm summer’s evening. New Year’s Eve falls in the Australian summer, making it the ideal time to escape the Northern Hemisphere winter and see Sydney at its best.

10. Make the most of your visit’s good timing: Sydney’s New Year’s Eve falls between two milestones in the city’s calendar, Christmas and the Sydney Festival - a lively arts and cultural festival which takes over the city each January. Add in the traditional Boxing Day start to the world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and there’s plenty to keep you entertained and intrigued.

Sydney Australia New Years Eve Fireworks

A spectacular timelapse of the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks in Australia. From sunset till sunrise, Sydney Harbour sparkles.

What to look out for

Register for updates on the City Of Sydney’s website – www.sydneynewyearseve.com to be in the know about the program of events and this year’s best vantage points.

Arrive early. This is one of largest and most popular free events in the world and the crowds build steadily from around midday. Go to the Midnight Fireworks show with a smile. You’ll be amazed how many complete strangers share your optimism.

How to get there

Get there and back by public transport (including taxis, trains, ferries and buses) with extra services operating on the night. Information on transport, vantage points and access for people with disability available on the Sydney New Year’s Eve website.

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